7 Best Shoes for 12 Hour Shifts – All Day Comfort and Support
When you spend all day standing and walking, your feet will take a lot of strain. Your footwear should be capable of handling the heat, helping to prevent blisters, sore feet, plantar fasciitis, and other severe foot conditions. There are several factors nurses need to consider when shopping for a work shoe. From arch support and slip resistance to comfort level and protection from prickly objects. After extensive research, this post reviews some of the best shoes for 12 hour shifts. The options below are an excellent place to start whether you are a newbie nurse or looking to replace your worn-out pair of shoes.
See also: Best Work Shoes for Nurses
Table of Contents
Best Shoes for 12 Hour Shifts – Top Picks
Skechers Sport Women’s Sneaker
Skechers is a well-known shoe brand that has been in business since the year 1992. Shoes from the company are renowned for their memory foam technology. Shoes with memory foam insoles are increasing in popularity these days because they provide all-day support and fantastic pressure relief. The Sport Women’s Loving Life Memory Foam Fashion Sneaker has been extolled for providing extraordinary cushioning as well as its lightweight qualities. So, if you are in the market for the best shoes for 12 hour shifts, this Skecher’s sneaker comes highly recommended.
- Flex groove outsole
- True-to-size fitting
- Memory foam insole
- Rubber sole
- Made from faux leather and mesh fabric
The shoe’s interior is enclosed with a squashy fabric lining that provides a warm and cushiony suppleness underfoot. Furthermore, the fabric lining wicks away sweat and moisture thus helping to ensure your feet stay dry and cool all through the day. The footwear’s memory foam insole is another reason many shoppers rave about the shoe. This insole is designed to help reduce entire foot fatigue as well as strain on your toes.
Everything about this Skechers’ sneaker is functional and extremely durable. This is because Skechers made the shoe using strong materials that are not only long-lasting but also cozy to the skin. The outsole is lightweight, hardwearing, and features a flex groove that provides additional support for your ankles. If you are searching for the best shoes for long shifts the women’s Loving Life memory sneaker from Skechers is one of your best bets. It is lightweight, breathable, durable, and comes at a reasonable cost.
- Impressive midsole cushioning
- Reasonably priced
- Lightweight design
- Trend appearance
- Breathable mesh upper
- Excellent shock absorption
- Very comfortable
- Arch support could be better
- A few buyers have complained that the memory foam collapses rather quickly
See also: Best Skechers for Nurses
Dansko Women’s Professional Clog
Aside from being a best-seller, the Professional Clog from Dansko is the go-to shoe for individuals who require all-day comfort. The clog supplies all of the value users expect from Dansko – slip-resistance, support, durability, and comfort. The shoe is also classy, lovely, and will look amazing with your nursing scrubs as well as your casual outfits. Besides, the clog is offered in a broad range of colors, meaning you can select your preferred hue that suits your requirements. Read on to discover other reasons why this Dansko clog is rated among the best shoes for standing 12 hour shifts.
- Padded instep collar
- Fabric and/or leather uppers
- Spacious reinforced toe box
- Polyurethane sole
- Wide heel strike
- PU outsole plus rocker bottom for enhanced shock absorption
The clog comes with a generously cushioned instep collar to provide enhanced support and protection for your ankles and feet. It is no surprise that several buyers have praised the footwear for this attribute. One buyer had this to say about the shoes: “This clog is so comfy and I especially love the stability and support supplied by the amply cushioned instep collar.”
Another endearing feature of this clog is its firm thermoplastic toe box. Several reviewers agree that it provides optimal fit, protection, and stability, which are all important features required to get through a 12-hour shift. The shoe also features a thermoplastic urethane heel counter that helps ensure you do not lose your balance when walking and keeps overpronation under control.
The clog’s foam footbed stays true to the established comfort Dansko users know and love. This footbed is breathable and does a fantastic job of absorbing the sweat from your foot whilst keeping the shoe’s interior cool at all times. With this type of footbed, you are assured of a congenial foot climate no matter how long your shift lasts.
The Dansko Women’s Professional Clog is offered in a broad variety of color choices. The shoes are available in traditional white or black leather. Other color choices available include cordovan cabrio, antique brown/black, honey distressed, leopard suede, and many more. Therefore, whatever your color inclination, you will find it.
The only downside to this Dansko clog is the high price tag. All the same, considering that the footwear is very durable and provides unrivaled all-day coziness and support, paying a little more for this is worth it.
- Broad toebox
- Easy on, easy off
- Comes in several color choices
- Very comfortable footbed
- Non-slip outsole
- Pricey
- Long break-in period
See also: Best Dansko Shoes for Nurses
Adidas Women’s Cloudfoam Pure
The German firm Adidas is the 2nd biggest sportswear maker on the globe. Shoes from the brand are famous for their distinctive features as well as their plush and supportive insoles. Many of their offerings are rated among the best shoes for 12 hour shifts. The Cloudfoam Pure was released only recently and since then the shoes have impacted the market hugely. The shoes are engineered for optimum support for individuals who are constantly on the go. The trainer features a slim silhouette along with a chic, contemporary profile. If you are searching for stylish sneakers that will blend easily with everything, the women’s Cloudfoam Pure is what you need.
- Slip-on design
- Women’s specific fit
- Cloudfoam memory sockliner plus textile lining
- Rubber sole
- 100 percent synthetic upper
- Hugs the foot
Sometimes, getting name-brand shoes can be very costly. However, if the shoe helps to keep your feet cozy, well-supported, and pain-free during your 12-hour shifts, then you have spent your money wisely. Even though the women’s Cloudfoam Pure sneaker is from a well-known brand and provides superior underfoot coziness, its cost is very reasonable. Therefore, if your budget is low but you still want a workshoe that is comfortable, stylish, and durable, the Cloudfoam Pure might be your best bet.
The Cloudfoam Pure is an extremely lightweight model. The lightweight build means the shoes will not be a burden when you are walking or running around the hospital grounds. One user loved the shoe’s coziness so much that she raved, “Coziest sneakers I’ve ever had and I get loads of compliments and questions regarding them. Fantastic shoes! Great for all-day wear.”
While the sneaker is safe for use on wet/slippery surfaces, some users have reported that the traction was not so good on very slippery terrains. Even so, several reviewers agree that the outsole has sufficient grip on it to perform well on sleek hospital floors.
The Cloudfoam Pure is also loved for its outstanding performance regarding comfort and support. Most of the coziness and support originate from the relaxing EVA midsole material. Furthermore, the shoe does not appear bulky but instead slim and narrow on the feet. This is a good thing because it means the sneaker will go well with many of your casual outfits.
The Adidas Women’s Cloudfoam Pure Running Shoe is without a doubt one of the best nursing shoes for 12 hour shifts. The sneaker is lightweight, breathable, and comfortable, making it a superb choice for all-day wear.
- Very lightweight
- Sleek profile
- Impressive underfoot protection
- Highly breathable
- Versatile and flexible
- Sizing issues
See also: Best Adidas Shoes for Nurses
SoftWalk Women’s Meredith Clog
This SoftWalk shoe was built with nurses in mind. Unlike most women’s nursing shoes, the Meredith by SoftWalk employs a graceful clog design that lets it blend a variety of important attributes in one inexpensive trendy shoe. Even though it comes easy on the pocket, the Meredith has sufficient useful qualities to be ranked among the best shoes for 12 hour shifts. The shoe’s well-cushioned footbed will help to keep foot pain at bay. Its non-slip outsole along with the wide heel will ensure you have dependable traction on hazardous surfaces. Besides, the shoe’s flexible structure molds fittingly to your foot giving you enhanced comfort and preventing ankle rolling.
- Slip-resistant outsole
- 100 percent leather upper
- Rubber sole
- Super comfy dual-density footbed plus arch support
- Lightweight EVA sole
- Concealed gores for enhancing ventilation
The upper features extremely durable top-quality imported leather. SoftWalk says this model is completely hand-built meaning that the shoe is solidly constructed along with remarkable layering. Furthermore, the tough leather upper is finished with weatherproofing to make the shoe waterproof. Therefore, you can work with peace of mind knowing that your feet are adequately protected against spills and other mishaps within the hospital environment.
The shoe’s interior is spacious, which means it will work well for individuals who have wide feet or suffer from bunions. The latex padded midsole is engineered to boost comfort. This flexible midsole adds to the shoe’s stability and helps to reduce foot fatigue when walking. Moreover, the clog’s EVA footbed will mold to your feet over time, delivering customized cushioning and support.
Like most clog-style shoes, the SoftWalk Women’s Meredith comes with a polyurethane outsole. This type of outsole offers terrific shock absorption to alleviate foot fatigue when standing or walking. Slip-resistance is an important attribute to consider when shopping for nursing shoes. The outsole groove patterns deliver dependable traction and boost the clog’s slip-resistance.
Overall, the women’s Meredith clog is super comfortable. It provides reliable support for both low and high arches and will keep your feet relaxed and cozy even after a 12-hour shift at the workplace.
- Provides good arch support
- Stylish and professional appearance
- Very comfortable
- Simple to break-in
- Lightweight design
- Spacious toebox
- Comes in numerous colors and styles
- Some users complain that the shoe felt somewhat tense at the top
- Durability concerns
See also: Best Slip-On Shoes for Nurses
New Balance Women’s WX608v4
The American footwear and apparel brand, New Balance, is a household name and it is common knowledge that their trainers also make the best work shoes for nurses. One of the key attributes of this shoe is the IMEVA midsole that delivers unmatched cushioning for the feet as well as offers extraordinary arch support, which is fantastic for nurses. A lot of effort and thought went into the engineering of this footwear and you can tell right out of the box. Continue reading to discover other reasons why the NB women’s WX608v4 made it to this list of the best shoes for 12 hour shifts.
- Thick rubber outsole
- EVA foam footbed
- Detachable and replaceable insole
- Non-marking outsole
- Dual-density collar foam
- Adjustable torque
The sturdiness of the shoe is supplied on two levels. To start with, the upper is partly enveloped with synthetic overlays that offer structural support. Secondly, the shoe boasts an interior shank for extra support and robustness. The fact is that New Balance employed first-rate materials in the making of this footwear, making the trainers very durable. And, with this level of durability, you will continue walking in coziness for several shifts to come.
As regards looks, the training shoe has been engineered to be aesthetically agreeable and anatomically correct to ensure your feet are as cozy as possible during extended shifts. Besides, you can select from a broad variety of positive hues to mirror your personality. The interesting aspect about these shoes and the available color options is that they will go well with your nursing scrubs as well as with many of your casual outfits.
The NB Women’s WX608v4 Comfort Pack Training Shoe features conventional lace-up construction that will let you modify the trainers to suit your foot. The footwear is offered in suede and leather. Both have small perforations to allow for good airflow within the shoe. The rear has a handy hill pull-tab that makes it very simple to wear/remove the shoe. The trainer’s dual-density collar employs more rigid density foam for support and plusher density foam next to the foot for cushioning.
The rubberized outsole employs flex groove construction to deliver fantastic shock absorption and flexibility. A detachable insole means you can remove the insoles and replace them with orthotics of your choice. This feature allows you to modify the trainers to suit your foot’s unique features.
Lastly, this NB model comes at a highly affordable cost. Therefore, if you are seeking extremely cozy and reasonably priced women’s walking shoes, the WX608v4 is a superb option.
- Extremely lightweight and cozy
- Offered at a highly reasonable price
- Quality leather upper
- Offers reliable slip-resistance and stability
- Orthotic friendly
- Spacious toebox
- Some buyers say they had durability issues with the shoes
See also: Best New Balance Shoes For Nurses
Dansko Men’s Wynn Work Shoes
Dansko says they make shoes that will support your feet all day, day after day, and in a broad variety of styles. The men’s Wynn Casual Shoes from Dansko come with enhanced quality and engineering that Danskos are renowned for. Some of its key attributes are a non-slip outsole, amply-cushioned insole, and a first-rate leather exterior. These attributes come together to make the Wynn one of the best shoes for nurses on feet all day. If you are a male nurse and are searching for a cool and cozy clog for all-day wear, this Dansko shoe may be worth checking out.
- Slip-resistant outsole
- 100 percent leather uppers
- Removable EVA footbed with triple density layers
- Riveted shank construction for enhanced support, stability, plus control
The clog also boasts an interior lining that feels very soft and will conform to your foot’s outline delivering a personalized fit. The Wynn Casual Shoes also feature dual goring insets in addition to an amply cushioned collar. These will have your feet wrapped in comfort all day. And, if your feet require additional support, this shoe is sure to provide it. Its contoured footbed will mold to your foot’s specific outline as you go about your duties.
Dansko made the footbed detachable to allow for custom orthotics. Nevertheless, even though the footbed is replaceable, you may discover that it is best to leave it intact. This is because the original footbed serves up outstanding arch support, stability, as well as heel alignment.
The impressive array of features that this Dansko clog offers is enough to place it among the best shoes for 12 hour shifts. But that is not all; users find the shoe extremely appealing partly due to its distinctive attractiveness both in style and build. The Dansko men’s Wynn was specially engineered to deliver all-day support for your ankles and entire feet.
A few users say they are not happy with the shoe’s asking price. However, many reviewers agree that the footwear’s quality is superlative and more than compensates for the high price tag.
- Simple to clean
- Very durable
- Extremely comfortable
- Stylish design
- Slip-resistant
- Padded collar to prevent blisters
- Personalized fit
- Impressive arch support
- Breathability concerns
- High price tag
See also: Best Shoes for Male Nurses
K-Swiss Men’s ST329 CMF
This K-Swiss shoe is cool-looking pair of sneakers that get noticed for all the appropriate reasons. The shoe looks trendy and delivers superior quality coziness and support. This pair does not come cheap and some customers are not happy about that. However, the high cost is compensated by the toughness as well as extended service life. The upper boasts first-rate quality leather and the rubber outsole is very chunky and eye-catching, with a sturdy treading. Besides, the heel is sufficiently padded to soak up the shock of your foot landings. It is no wonder then, this K-Swiss sneaker made it to this list of the best shoes for standing 12 hour shifts.
- Molded EVA midsole
- Rubber outsole
- Textile collar lining
- Memor foam sockliner
- Leather upper
- Lace-up design
- Exterior material: Canvas
The standard lacing design will allow the shoes to fit great on all kinds of feet. To make things even more exciting, the trainers are offered in an array of widths so you can select the width that will work best for your feet. The shoe has also been praised for its remarkable stability. Moreover, most reviews concur that the sneaker does not require the use of custom inserts. And, while the footwear’s slip-resistance may not be superlative, it offers a sufficient measure of grip to get you through sleek hospital floors safely.
K-Swiss originally crafted this footwear for tennis players but the sneaker has proven to be a superb walking shoe also. Thanks to its lightweight build, the shoe will not impede your movements in any way. There is an assortment of hues to choose from including black, white, dark shadow/ice, and neutral gray/silver.
- Highly versatile
- Trendy look
- Lightweight construction
- Dependable arch support
- Memory foam sockliner
- Offered in an assortment of colors and widths
- Poor slip-resistance